Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Chesapeake, VA: $39,061 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Chesapeake, VA earns a median $39,061/year (≈ $18.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Chesapeake's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $37,850 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.4% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chesapeake, Virginia, the estimated median annual salary for sterile processing technicians is projected to be $39,061 in 2026. This figure reflects a significant local employment trend, especially with the demand for evening and overnight surgical tray turnover that impacts compensation levels. Salary ranges indicate a wide scope of earnings, from $27,274 at the lower end (P10) to $60,543 for those at the top of the pay scale (P90). These projections, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of livings, give insight into local market dynamics, revealing just how crucial these roles are to healthcare facilities in the area. Given the growth in healthcare services, understanding compensation in Chesapeake is essential for job seekers in the sterile processing field.
About the Chesapeake Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27,274 | $13.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,946 | $15.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,061 | $18.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,997 | $24.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,543 | $29.11 |
Median Salary Position
18.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chesapeake
In Chesapeake, VA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,269 (2026 est.). At $39,061, the local median is 18.15% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chesapeake: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chesapeake Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Chesapeake median: $39,061/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chesapeake Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $47,289 | -17.40% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -18.15% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Chesapeake, VA earn a median of $39,061 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.15% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 17.40% below the Virginia state average of $47,289.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chesapeake has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chesapeake, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $39,061 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $37,850 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,417
2025 BLS Actual
$37,479
2026 Current Est.
$39,061
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Chesapeake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,417 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,486 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,592 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,578 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,952 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,479 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,061 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,709 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chesapeake metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $29,417 (2019) to $37,479 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,709 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,292 (38.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chesapeake metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.22% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $27,274 – $32,946 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,946 – $39,061 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,061 – $49,997 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,997 – $60,543 |
SPT, CRCST salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual sterile processing technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Sterile Processing Technician Job Market in Chesapeake
The job market for sterile processing technicians in Chesapeake comprises approximately 63 employed individuals, reflecting the community's healthcare needs. With a cost-of-living index of 103.2, professionals in this role must consider how living expenses affect their take-home pay and purchasing power. Local employers often include hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical facilities, among others. Pay discrepancies within this market can be attributed to several factors, such as shift differentials for evening or overnight work, the value placed on specialized credentials like the CRCST, CIS, and CER, and whether the technician operates in a hospital rather than an outpatient setting. To enhance earnings potential in Chesapeake, technicians should consider additional certifications and aim for roles in higher-paying specialty practices or supervisory positions. Understanding these elements can significantly influence one's salary trajectory in the sterile processing technician job market.
More salary data for Chesapeake, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Chesapeake, VA in 2026?
Is Chesapeake, VA a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?
Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Chesapeake?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Chesapeake?
How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Chesapeake?
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Written by Amina Patel, CCSVP
Career Analyst
Amina has 8 years of experience in sterile processing. She specialized in instrument sterilization techniques in a large hospital. Amina analyzes career trends for sterile processing technicians.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $37,479 for sterile processing techniciansin the Chesapeake metropolitan area. A 4.22% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Chesapeake is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.22%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for sterile processing technicians (SOC 31-9093).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, CCSVP, a licensed sterile processing technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov